Performance Review: Jensen 541 R 4.0 12v - [1957]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Jensen 541 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Jensen 541 R 4.0 12v is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1957. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible and the 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198.This particular Jensen 541 has a 3990cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 541 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 541's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1470 kgs (3240 lbs) this makes the Jensen 541 R 4.0 12v in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Jensen 541 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 3990cc 12V St6 engine produces 152 bhp (113 kW) @ 4100 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 227 lb-ft (307.7 Nm) @ 2400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Jensen 541 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTS (128.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Jensen 541.

The Jensen 541 has a Power to weight ratio of 103.4 bhp per ton and 154.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1957 541 competing with the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTS (128.3 bhp per ton) or the 1980 Saab 99 2.0L Turbo (128.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Jensen 541 generating around 154.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988 (179.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2001 Saab 9-3 Viggen 2.3L Turbo (179.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 11.0 secs, this made the Jensen 541 R 4.0 12v as fast as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (10.60 secs) the 1974 Vauxhall-Opel Manta GT/E 1.9 8v (10.60 secs) the 1971 Bentley Corniche 6.8 V8 Convertible (10.60 secs) the or the 1969 Ford Capri 2000 GT (10.60 secs). This Jensen 541 R 4.0 12v is also faster than the 1968 Vauxhall-Opel Viva GT 2.0L (10.70 secs) the 2002 Ford KA Street KA (10.80 secs) the 1984 Talbot Samba Rallye 1.2 (10.80 secs) the and the 1963 Ford Falcon 1st Gen Sports Hardtop 260 V8 4-Speed (10.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 541 and the 1991 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6

When talking about the performance of the Jensen 541 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.41 secs @ 78.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1991 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 (17.34 secs), the 2010 Land-Rover Evoque 2.0 Si4 (17.35 secs), and the 1974 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 1 5.3L V8 (17.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1957 version of the Jensen 541 R 4.0 12v has a maximum speed of 128mph.

Top Speed of the 1957 541 equals the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (139 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1957 Jensen 541 R 4.0 12v then how about the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (139 mph), the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet (139 mph), or the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V 182 Cup (139 mph).

Related Links:

1957 541 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Jensen

Car Comparison